Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Repress!

Official half-speed mastered re-issue of British trumpeter and bandleader Ian Carr's iconic jazz-fusion-rock hybrid ‘Belladonna’ from 1972.

Originally released on the Vertigo label, complete with collectable ‘swirl' record centre design, this sought-after jazz-rock-fusion rarity features some of the cream of the UK jazz musicians of the 70’s. Comprised from groups such as Nucleus, Brian Auger's band, Soft Machine, Stan Tracy group, the players included Brian Smith (tenor and soprano saxophones, alto and bamboo flutes), legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth, Dave MacRae (Fender electric piano), and bassist Roy Babbington, to name but a few.

Seen as a benchmark point in Ian Carr's career, 'Belladonna’ is awash with atmospheric excursions and ethereal qualities, as well as a darker fusion aesthetic and prog-rock sensibility from Holdsworth's exceptional guitar playing. The moody, yet funky, vibe of the album has echoes of Miles Davis' electronic era à la 'In A Silent Way'.

The album is best enjoyed played in its entirety. There are ebbs and flows with certain tracks shining along the way. Standouts include the beautiful down-tempo track 'Summer Rain’, which has a soundtrack / library style brilliance and emotional electric piano soloing. Though recorded in the 70’s, the track has a timeless sound, a melancholic funk so often used in hip-hop and beat tape productions to this day. ‘Mayday's Shaft-like long extended intro builds the drama until the percussive release when the drums drop at over three minutes in.

To give a record of such quality the treatment it deserves, we have once again been lucky to enlist the service of mastering and lacquer cutting engineering don Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, to cut a brand-new half-speed master and let the music speak for itself.

Limited edition of 300 copies. Packaged in a picture sleeve

J.D’s TIME MACHINE presents SPEAK LOVE b/w YOUNG HEARTS.
Songwriter supremo James Day has consistently delivered top notch material throughout his career, amassing an amazing set of collaborations.
The All Star Mix of SPEAK LOVE from five years ago features the mouthwatering cast of Glenn Jones, Tony Terry, Tim Owens, U-Nam, Ian Martin, Lin Rountree & Kevin Flint Jackson. This is one of James Day’s most respected compositions and we are thrilled to give this a vinyl release! YOUNG HEARTS originally from 2013 features the majestic vocals of both Kevin Flint Jackson and Tim ‘Tio’ Owens. Presented here as a '2022 Vinyl Exclusive Mix' with changes in the arrangement, Tim Owen’s EW&F sensibilities really shape this track and the note he hits in the meat of the song is worth the price of the admission fee alone!

John Carroll Kirby returns with ‘Septet’, a live instrumental album.
‘Septet’ sees the widely acclaimed keyboardist and composer lead a band to perform a new suite of works. Second album for Stones Throw following ‘My Garden’, released in April 2020. From the acclaimed musician John Carroll Kirby, a new electronic jazz album à la Herbie Hancock’s ‘Head Hunters’. All tracks written and arranged by Kirby and performed by him and six additional musicians.
Three bonus dubs. John Carroll Kirby has collaborated with artists
including Solange, Frank Ocean, Harry Styles, Eddie Chacon and Sebastien Tellier. Kirby’s 2020 debut ‘My Garden’ was widely
acclaimed by Pitchfork, Vice, Bandcamp, MOJO, Shindig!, The Wire, The Line of Best Fit, Loud & Quiet, Clash, The Vinyl Factory Dazed, London In Stereo and many more. For fans of Herbie Hancock, Floating Points, Four Tet, Sons of Kemet, The Comet Is Coming,
Shabaka Hutchings. Radio - 6 Music, Radio 1, 1Xtra, Worldwide FM, NTS, KCRW.

Lance Ferguson is back for a killer follow-up 7" to his second volume of classic re-works and re-imaginings, Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 2 - released on Freestyle in late January on LP, CD and digital formats.

We just couldn't resist putting this take on Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers cover of Gladys Knight's Got Myself a Good Man on a 45. Keeping true to the source, yet somehow simultaneously sounding like no-one else, this version is 100% guaranteed to put a spring in the step of any crowd as the sun starts gradually to come out from hiding. Aside from the faithfully executed and expertly recorded drum-track, which sits pretty higher up in the mix than it's precursor, the star of this particular show comes midway through when Lance's lilting and sun-kissed guitar solo comes gliding in. If you can't move to this, even just a little bit, then you might actually be lacking a pulse. Backing things up is the undeniable latin-funk strut of Mandrill's Mango Meat. Given an instrumental work-out here with Remco Keijer's Flute and Daniel Mougerman's keys putting in work over a heavy-as-lead rhythm section, those delectable salsa-inflicted horns upping the spice levels.

Lance's work across the Rare Groove Spectrum series can often be looked on as something akin to a "live re-edit" on the originals, at times switching up sections or extending the groove. These two choice cuts however are a masterclass in subtly teasing out some of the original elements on the tracks that really make them work on a dance-floor, and bringing those to the fore while retaining 100% respect for the OG arrangements.

The independent label Six Nine Records Ltd. UK, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, proudly presents the French boogie-funk master Magoo and his first release on the label!

Two already amazing tunes have been remixed to new heights by the sureshot hit maker Yuki “T-Groove” Takahashi and are bound to set
dancefloors on fire!

Definitely not to be missed as it is a limited UK press with full colour
printed picture cover!

Côco Do Macaco is the second Maxi Single of the Golden Records series from upcoming album by Sócrates E As Garotas, 40 years after the monkey party album. La Matta Records tries to bring you back into the world of Brazilian jazz/funk rhythm, adding an increiblde extended mix and a disco flue version for the club. This track is packed with high spirit, contagious happiness and contains and excellent production, also thanks to the participation of Orlandivo and Lincold Olivetti. An all-time classis on dancefloors!

* The 1st ever 12" vinyl released by The Criminal Minds back in 1990. Produced and recorded in Spatts bedroom back in 1990 this was one of the rarest Hip Hop 12" releases in the history of UK Hip Hop. Only 500 copies produced back in 1990 and remains one of the most expensive and hard to find records of the era.

* We used the same masters that Rephlex used for their "The Criminal Minds - T.C.M" reissue back in 2011. The source is
a "VG+" copy recently sold on Discogs for £170.00 so if you're up for waiting they'll be another along for similar money soon. If you don't like represses because we're "Killing the scene in my opinion reproducing timeless classics for a quick buck sticking your fingers up at all those that were there back in the day buying the originals." as some fuckwit chimed in with..... then get your fat wallet out wait for another to pop up!

Kadi Yombo, published in 1989, is the most successful album in the quest for a fusion between tradition and modernity in Bwiti harp music of the Tsogho people of Gabon. Combining beating rattles with a layer of synthesizers, Papé Nziengui blends in a contrapuntal dialogue characteristic of harp playing: male song in appeal and female choir in response, male voice of the musical arc and rhythms of female worship. But above all it’s Tsogho ritual music and modern studio orchestration. The result is an initiatory itinerary of 10 musical pieces which are all milestones likely to be simultaneously listened to, danced, meditated on, and soon acclaimed. In the years since, Nziengui has traveled he world from Lagos to Paris, from Tokyo to Cordoba, from Brussels to Mexico City to become a true icon, the emblem of Gabonese music.

Like Bob Dylan, "electrifying" folk and Bob Marley mixing rock with reggae, some purists have criticized Nziengui for having distorted the music of harp by imposing a cross with modern instruments. They even went so far as to claim that Nziengui was just an average harpist covering his shortcomings with stunts that were only good for impressing neophytes; like playing a harp placed upside down behind his back or playing two or three harps simultaneously. Sincere convictions or venomous defamations, in any case, Nziengui never gave in to such attacks, imposing himself on the contrary to pay homage to the elders (Yves Mouenga, Jean Honoré Miabé, Vickoss Ekondo) while instructing the maximum of young people. He is thus the promoter of many young talents, the most prominent of which is certainly his nephew Jean Pierre Mingongué. In a conservative society where the sacred is confused with secrecy, exposing the mysteries of Bwiti in broad daylight can be punished by exclusion or even execution.

Papé Nziengui has always claimed that he faces such risks because he never felt enslaved to a community that governs his life, that regulates his conduct, that has a right of censorship over his activities. Like Ravi Shankar, the famous sitarist, Papé Nziengui is a man of rupture but also of openness, a transmitter of culture. As proof, he has established himself in Libreville, Gabo’s capital, as the main harpist for sessions and concerts, accompanying the greatest national artists (Akendengué, Rompavè, Annie-Flore Batchiellilys, Les Champs sur la Lowé, etc.) as well as foreign artists (Papa Wemba, Manu Dibango, Kassav', Toups Bebey, etc.). In 1988, he was the first harpist to release an album in the form of a cassette produced by the French Cultural Center (Papé Nziengui, Chants et Musiques Tsogho). At the same time, he created his own group (Bovenga), combining traditional music instruments (musical bow, drums, various percussion instruments, etc.) in the framework of a true national orchestra, which gave the first concert and the first tours of a traditional music that was both modern and dynamic, thus "democratizing" the harp, to the dismay of certain purists.

On the other hand, in modern music, dominated by the logic of profit or even commercialism, artistic creation must often be adjusted for a specific audience based on reason rather than heart. But instead of allowing himself to be distorted, Papé Nziengui has always tried to produce music that is not a caricature, worthy in its expression as in its content, of the sacredness and transcendence of the music of the Origins. This is what makes Nziengui not only the musician, but the man someone whose age hasn’t altered any of his freshness or authenticity

Today New York based singer, songwriter and producer Amber Mark announces details of her long-awaited debut album ‘Three Dimensions Deep’, out January 28th via EMI/PMR Records. The announcement of the album is accompanied by a sultry R&B instant-grat track ‘What It Is’ as well as a huge UK, EU and US spring tour announcement including London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in March

Amber’s debut album arrives almost 4 years after the release of her second EP ‘Conexão’, an extended process that has proved central to its thematic development. The 17 track album can be divided into three main acts that follow the arc of Amber’s personal and musical development; WITHOUT, WITHHELD and WITHIN. Beginning by acknowledging her insecurities and anxieties before reflecting on her time in denial and spent processing them in all the wrong ways, Amber eventually widens her focus by seeking answers to the world’s negativity and trauma on a cosmic scale. Finding peace and a form of inherent spirituality in the world of astrophysics while writing the album led to a fresh perspective on life and a renewed sense of self. Amber’s debut album is simultaneously a profound concept album and a love letter to herself, richly intertwining messages of self-worth and reflections on the universe beneath a veneer of shimmering pop. In true Amber Mark style, ‘Three Dimensions Deep’ is a kaleidoscopic melting pot of influences and genres, drawing from funk and R&B, soul and hip-hop with international accents influenced by a nomadic childhood spent travelling the world with her late mother.

“Three Dimensions Deep is a musical journey of what questions you begin to ask yourself when you start looking to the universe for answers.” says Amber; “I can only go as deep as the third dimension as that’s how we see the world, but what about when you start looking to the universe within for answers.”

“‘What It Is’ low key is the title track of the album without it actually being the title track” explains Amber; “It comes from going through negative experiences which end up being the gateway to a question I think I’ll be asking for the rest of my life. What is the meaning of life,the universe and everything?”

The three official singles already released from the album ‘Worth It’, ‘Competition’ and ‘Foreign Things’ marked Amber’s first official singles since 2020’s ‘Generous’, though 2020 was still a hugely productive year for Amber. With her hometown of NYC hit hard in the first wave of the pandemic and placed under strict lockdown, Amber turned to her simple home studio to create an acclaimed series of home-produced covers and originals titled ‘Covered-19’, each accompanied by a homemade video and artworks. The series was followed by a collaboration with longtime friend Empress Of on the protest song ‘You’ve Got To Feel’, earning Annie Mac’s Hottest Record, ‘Tune Of The Week’ and a spot on the Radio 1 playlist. Earlier this year Amber was featured on legendary DJ Paul Woolford’s new piano-house track ‘HEAT’, again snagging Annie Mac’s Hottest Record and a long run across the Radio 1 and 2 playlists. Having already amassed over 300 million streams since the release of her breakout debut EP 3:33AM in 2017, Amber has built a global fanbase eager to hear her debut full length -

South London soul artist Andrew Ashong returns with his first full release since 2014 – an expansive six-track collaboration with Kaidi Tatham, the unrivalled underground virtuoso described as the UK's Herbie Hancock.

Endorsed and supported by: Benji B, Gilles Peterson, Tom Ravenscoft, J Rocc, Alexander Nut, Jamz Supernova, Ross Allan, DJ Moxie, Funkineven, Taro (Jazzy Sport), Charlie Bones, Bradley Zero and many more...

A chance DJ set in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with British Ghanaian soul artist Andrew Ashong on the decks, and UK broken beat legend Kaidi Tatham jamming along on synths and flute, was the crux of their new collaborative EP 'Sankofa Season', released 13thNovember.

Remembering that night Kaidi says -"Andrew came in with a load of amazing records man, but then he played Manolo Badrena 'The One Thing', and I still remember, that's when I knew, this guy's proper, he's serious. I was like who is this dude, he smashed up the place, an amazing night"

Sankofa translates to 'Go back and get it' in the Twi language of Ghana, and is the message throughout the six-track EP. Whether it's looking back at the London club scene on 'Low Ceilings', or exploring the diasporic connections of music on 'Sankofa Song', while also taking in the events of the year so far, Andrew explains"Let's not spend too much of our divine energy retraumatising ourselves and obsessing over grievances. We've got to address it, but we have to move forward, and try and make it better".

'Sankofa Season' takes both artists to new heights as they seamlessly complement each other's musical language, giving voice to productions that criss-cross genre and time to move into their own distinct lane. Speaking on the recording process with Kaidi, Andrew says"I don't even know how to describe how fluid and fast and how on point and how abundant his musical expression is, it's insane".Kaidi adds"I just knew exactly what to do with Andrew man, straight away. But this is just the beginning - this is just the start, people ain't ready".

The EP follows Kaidi Tatham's 2018 album 'It's A World Before You', and is Andrew Ashong's first full release since his 2014 self-titled EP. 'Sankofa Season' is the inaugural release for Kitto Records, a new label based in Belfast and London.

The third release on Cordial Recordings is Arthur Goodjoin & The Singing Tornados with 'Traveling Through The Land' & 'Stop This Fussing & Fighting.' Both songs were originally released on Expression Records and fully licensed through the group. In our opinion 'Traveling Through The Land' is one of the best examples of gospel and disco crossover. Don't miss out on this gem!

This is available for pre-order and is a Love Vinyl DRS Ltd distribution title.

KOKOROKO return with this exclusive Double A Side vinyl of 'Baba Ayoola' and 'Carry Me Home' released via Brownswood Recordings on 25th June 2021. Both singles achieved huge support upon digital release by BBC Radio, BBC 6 Music, 1Xtra, Afropunk, Clash, Rolling Stone France & NPR. 'Baba Ayoola' was written as a tribute to the grandfather of the band's alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi and is 'an invitation to celebrate life'. Whilst 'Carry Me Home' was inspired by conversations with the masterful Dele Sosimi, whose technical ability in bridging the gap between the West African afrobeat sound of his roots, and the London energy of his upbringing, has directly informed the ever-impressive capabilities demonstrated by London's eight-piece collective, KOKOROKO.

Kibir La Amlak remix of the classic Danny Red anthem 'Be Grateful'

Having performed on funk & soul stages at over 50 UK festivals over the last 5 years, Daytoner can't wait to return to promote their forthcoming album and new single, their first release since 2019, written and recorded during isolation in their homes across Cornwall. The first single, released on 28th January 2022 features 2 new tracks 'Time' & 'Keep It Moving' with Lucy's lyrics focussing on the importance of time spent with family and friends when life feels so fragile, backed by the funk-fuelled brass and breaks of her bandmates.

Exclusive first radio play of 'Time' on New Year's Day on The Craig Charles Funk & Soul show on BBC6 Music, followed by a play in his afternoon show on January 5th. Interview with Moss and play of both sides of the single on the David White Show & the Boogie Wonderland show on BBC Radio Cornwall on January 6th & 7th and 'Time' is 'Single of the Week' on his drivetime afternoon show on the station with repeat plays in the week 10-14th Jan.

Family Of Swede hail from Oakland, California and were originally formed at whilst in High School in the mid 1960s. They were originally known as The Epics and released one single 'We Are Made As One' on Bridge Town Records. It was during the 1970s that the band decided to change their name to Family Of Swede because the leader of the group was Swede McDaniel. Under the name of Family Of Swede the released one single on Butter Fields with the uptempo 'Everybody Must Pay' and the ballad 'I Got To Move On'. They band had recorded an album called 'Family Album' during this period but it was never released at the time, until now that is. We've also included on the label some later recordings from the early 80s with different takes of 'Sad Lonely Feeling', 'Living From Day To Day' and 'Set You Free.' The CD version comes with the monumental full length 11 minute 50 seconds version of 'Set You Free,' which has been supported by Gilles Peterson on his BBC radio show. 'Family Album' is a collection of beautiful and timeless songs which should now deserve the acclaim that they deserve.

'Life' by the Family of Swede from Oakland was featured on their 2020 'Family Album' long player and was the most popular song on the album with it's prophetic lyrical content of human existence. We believe that the song deserves a wider and audience hence the release on 7" vinyl. The flip features an edit of the song 'Mellow' which was not featured on the album and exclusive to this release.

Kerbside Collection are an all instrumental dusty jazz funk and gritty rare grooves ensemble from the inner suburbs of Australia's third largest city on the mid North Coast – Sunny Brisbane QLD. The band plays good time jazz, funk and traditional rare groove.

With a gritty rhythm section of old school drums and fender or upright bass, alongside funky Hammond and Rhodes, with some sweet George Benson-ish jazz guitar licks on top, the sound of Kerbside Collection harks back to the 60s and 70s Californian West Coast jazz funk music of artists such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Chico Hamilton, Joe Sample and The Crusaders, whilst tipping it's hat to today's contemporaries keeping the 'feel' alive.

In May 2011, directly after devastating floods freakishly ripped through their hometown of Brisbane, the ensemble went to record their debut album "Mind The Curb" in Melbourne with Jake Mason (Cookin' On 3 Burners). Eight songs were recorded/mixed/pre-mastered in four days, on vintage, analogue gear and onto warm tape. Their follow up record "Trash Or Treasure" (2015) contains hints of library jazz music with lush tones from added instrumentation like vibraphone, sitar and brass that blends into their dusty 60's inspired West Coast jazz funk and gritty grooves sounds. Engineered with Hopestreet Recording's Bob Knob and featuring guests from The Cactus Channel, The Bombay Royale and The Putbacks. Third album "Smoke Signals" (2018), was again received warmly worldwide, including plays on BBC radio, and containing even more extra instrumentation, including baritone sax and flute, subtle flourishes of early 70s analogue / electric jazz grooves.

Their fourth studio album "Round The Corner", written and recorded during the last fifteen months of the recent 2020/2021 cv-19 pandemic, is their most ambitious offering yet, with the first single "Glaze", conjuring up some classic 4hero, early Jamiroquai, and Mizell Brothers cinematic funk moments, whilst offering a taste of what to expect from the full length.

For BRZ45087 we present a split release comprised of two tried-and-tested favourites from the Mr Bongo record bag.

Rio-born pianist and organist Lafayette’s career started in the mid-60s and saw him become a prominent member of the Brazilian musical movement entitled 'Jovem Guarda’. For his inclusion on this selection in the Brazil45 series we move things along a few years to 1982 and the Brazilian boogie gem 'Sol De Verão'. Taken from his album 'Edição Especial’ and originally released on Copacabana Records, 'Sol De Verão' was written by Jorginho Gomes from one of Brazil's greatest bands Os Novos Baianos. It's a superb slice of 80s boogie/funk brilliance with a super catchy ear-worm of a vocal - definitely one for the dancers!

For the flip, we include an absolute monster from the fantastic Marisa Rossi, who we featured previously on number 38 in the Brazil45 series. 'Quem Vem Lá’ is a heavy driving Samba Rock / MPB groove track with female and male call and response vocals. Originally released on a very rare and exclusive 7" also on Copacabana Records, but this time in 1971. Marisa would go on to work with the legendary Arthur Verocai in the 1980s.

Two very different slices and styles of Brazilian music, but both absolute gems.

Martina Topley Bird’s new studio album ‘Forever I Wait’, features collaborations and arrangements from Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, Euan Dickenson, Rich Morel, Christoffer Berg, Benjamin Boeldt and Tiadiad.

'Forever I Wait' is Topley-Bird’s fourth long awaited studio album and her very first self-produced and curated piece of work to date. The album, set for a digital release on September 10th, with a vinyl LP available to pre-order now, captures an extensive journey confronting, exploring, analysing and reflecting on the devastating fragilities of life as it ultimately seeks to make peace with what life is.

A sentient and sensual presence framed Tricky’s trip-hop pioneering white label debut release, Aftermath. Hauntingly unique and immediately recognisable, that voice became the defining timbre of a new music movement. Behind this voice was mysteriously soft-spoken, London-born Martina Topley-Bird, whose exquisite voice came to inspire and infuse other pioneering artists across all genres.

“It’s a trip through different emotional states and frequencies, mostly dark, from insecurity and desire, all the way through to serenity and acceptance with themes that resonate from my young teens all the way through till today. Things that I’ve seen and things I’ve felt and worked through, although sometimes I sense them trying to return”

“Forever I Wait”, as the title alludes, was written and re-written over a long period of time.

“I had to change my way of relating to music and the music industry in order to make the record I wanted to make.…and that took time. And I took the time I needed. I started in London, moved and lived in America for the first time in my life, then briefly moved back to London and finished the record in Spain.”

“After trying to work on a new record for a couple of years, I came to a realisation that in order to move forward I had to separate the concept and vision I had for this record from me as a person. I had to shift my perspective. That was a big personal win and the beginning of “Forever I Wait.”

'Forever I Wait' leans on a multitude of tense sounds, dubby atmospherics and natural instrumentation to demand the listeners attention leading to over two decades of observations, experiences and musical sacrifices. It is a bi-product of the new perspective featuring carefully selected and tailored supporting arrangements from a handful of collaborators including Robert del Naja (Massive Attack), Rich Morel (Deep Dish), Christoffer Berg (Fever Ray) and Benjamin Boeldt (Adventure).

A truthful expression of desire and heartache “Forever I Wait “Is Topley Bird’s most precise and accurate album to date.

Many of you will be aware of the band Homegrown Syndrome (we released the single a few years ago). They were also known locally as Homegrown Funk & the band Memphis that put out one extremely rare two sider. A party Side 'Shake and Rock' flipped with a top of the rung ballad 'Inside My Love', it has everything collectors want, Rarity & Quality so sells for 500+ all day long, below Robert Garcia gives us the history....

"Memphis" were members of the Memphis based group "Home Grown Funk." Home Grown Funk was also known as "Homegrown Syndrome," a controversial name bestowed to them. Before heading to LA they gigged all over Memphis. Some of the members were from an earlier 70s group called "Brothers Unlimited" and had earlier ties during the 60s with the "Memphis Invaders" (a peaceful civil rights activist group).

With aspirations of pushing Homegrown further, a few members including Jerry Jones made the move out west. It was LA 1977 when they were introduced to Ike Tuner through a mutual friend "Ricky G". It was a casual meetup. Then one night Ike had his son Ike Jr. go check them out while performing at the Soul Train hangout spot "Maverick Flats". Ike Jr. praised their performance to Ike and he had them come out to his Inglewood studio. The group walked into the studio with a funky track already playing and that's when Jerry Jones improvised this opportunity and started singing. Ike then turned and said… "Who is that singing?" Jerry said, "Thats me." Then Ike replied " YOU BIG MUTHAF***A! You could be my new Tina." From that point the group cut bunch of tracks with Ike over the years up until they're feature on his 1980 album "The Edge."

In 1981 Perry Kibble (Keyboardist for Taste Of Honey) was at "Concerts In The Park" and heard Home Grown Funk performing. He linked up with the group and got them a deal with Arista. During this time they recorded their hit track " Confrontation." Perry suggested that the group change their name because he didn't want another group with the work "Funk" in it and hence "Homegrown Syndrome." They also use the Arista studio to cut an unreleased acetate with tracks "Got the love" and "Party Vibes" soon to be reissued on ATON.

Around the same time they were introduced to a fella named Roger Green. Green asked the group to come over to his home studio to cut the track "Inside My Love." Upon naming the record Roger Green suggested to go by "Memphis" since they were all from there. This record was eventually pressed in 1982 as small run becoming extremely hard to find.

Words by: Robert Garcia

In 2009, Jalapeno Records was approached with some incredible music by the super talented Mixmonster and Schoolmaster, founding members of the jazz funk band 'The Apples'.

Produced under their 'Radio Trip' moniker, the album was a glorious cut & paste journey into sound, with overtones of musique concrete, brought to life by their fascination with vinyl culture, turntablism and sampling.

The first EP taken from the album featured the up-tempo 'Computers Singing' with its crunchy drums, organic horn stabs, bleep FXs, synth bass tones and a myriad of sampled vocals, all deftly arranged into a constantly evolving b boy battle weapon.

Now released for the first time on a limited 45, this little gem also features the sought-after psych-funk remix by fellow DJ, digger and music archivist Markey Funk, who is another a staple of the Israeli groove scene.

Rikki Aaron are a duo that hail from Bristol, Connecticut and are best known for their in-demand rare soul single 'Say What's On Your Mind,' which saw release in 1980 on R.A.C. Records. The song was originally played by revered rare soul DJs covered up as Larry Hobson and then much later on as D.Watson. Rikki released a total of three singles on R.A.C. Records during the 1980s before drifting away from the music industry until now and the release of this limited album.

Cordial Recordings are proud to release this album that features a collection of the singles, previously unreleased songs from the early 80s and newer recordings. The CD version includes three bonus songs including the original versions of 'Say What's On Your Mind' and 'For The Love Of Music.' We believe that this album cements the Rikki Aaron legacy as an outstanding songwriter and performer of classic soulful songs.

Sleevenotes

"Rikki Aaron hail from Bristol, Connecticut and is the artist working name for the multi-talented Dave Watson with his long-time friend Stan O’Donnell. Their friendship started in 1974 over Dave’s enthusiasm for playing the drums and a desire to hook up with Stan because he was the coolest drummer in town. Shortly after they became friends Stan asked Dave to join his local covers band RBB & Company, who at the time were building a following playing the town’s taverns. Dave was aged 14 at this time and by law shouldn’t have been allowed in the buildings because of his age, but that didn’t stop Dave from playing. It was during this time that Dave developed as a singer, whilst initially starting out on backing singing duties before soon gravitating to lead vocals.

Dave back then also had a desire to learn another instrument and he chose to learn to play the piano. His school had a piano in its auditorium that Dave would self-teach himself and this is where he wrote his first song ‘For The Love Of Money.’ One of school’s music teachers heard Dave practising this song one day and was impressed with the quality of the song to make Dave an offer to buy the rights to the song in its entirety. The offer was declined by Dave and much later down the line in 1981 the song was released as the first Rikki Aaron 7” single coupled with ‘Say What’s On Your Mind’ on RAC Records.

Before this single was released and after RBB & Company had broken up Stan had formed a covers band called the Motown Revue with another friend called John Cyr. The band were gaining notoriety locally and the pair soon asked Dave to join up with them on singing duties. Many of the members of the Motown Revue would end up playing on the Rikki Aaron recordings.

There were three singles in total released on RAC Records by Rikki Aaron in the early 1980s. These include ‘For The Love Of Music/Say What’s On Your Mind’ in 1981, ‘Save The World (Part One/Two)’ in 1983 and the final single of ‘Hey Girl/The Dream’ in 1985. The singles were released locally at the time and receive no distribution outside of Connecticut. There were 500 copies pressed of each release and all three records came with a printed outer sleeve.

Dave and Stan believed that Rikki Aaron was long forgotten until one day a record dealer called Jason Permulatter of Carolina Soul contacted Dave to see whether he had any copies of their first single for sale. Luckily Dave had kept a small quantity and was able to sell some copies to Jason, who in turn sold them on. Unbeknown to Dave at the time was that the song ‘Say What’s On Your Mind’ was being played on the rare soul scene as D. Watson rather than Rikki Aaron. It’s believed that the initial copies discovered came without the original picture sleeves and there is no mention of Rikki Aaron hence it being played as D. Watson because that’s the credit on the label.

Cordial Recordings first contacted Stan through a sale that he was doing through a family member on Ebay of ‘For The Love Of Music/Say What’s On Your Mind.’ Our bid wasn’t successful but we were able to begin discussions with regards working together on the recordings that feature on this album. This album includes a collection of unreleased songs, alternative versions of some of the singles and some newer recordings. We hope that you enjoy listening to the album and we’ve helped keep the legacy of Rikki Aaron moving forward."

Feel-good funk and hip-hop duo, The Allergies, offer up one last ray of audio sunshine from their smash hit album, Promised Land.

Featuring the unmistakable voice of Bay Area luminary, Lyrics Born, 'Going to The Party' is the ultimate celebration of good times, good friends, and good music. Throwback raps weave wickedly with infectious grooves and a sing-a-long chorus, making this the perfect soundtrack for all your get-togethers and funky affairs. And now, the limited edition vinyl release offers up an extended version, with extra house-party warming verses from L.B!

And, that's not all. As, taking B-Side Banger status on the 45 is 'Utility Man', featuring the dynamite mic prowess of L.A rap hero, Andy Cooper. Riding a super slick double bass groove and neck snapping drums, the L.A. hip-hop legend flips fearsome rap styles, pitching his case as the ultimate go-to gun-for-hire M.C.

And who are we to argue? It's two serious sides of funky rap goodness. Or, as Andy puts it, "The beats bang and the music's timeless". Indeed.

a a1: Going to the Party (Extended Mix) feat. Lyrics Born

This previously unissued 45 came from the esteemed estate of Don Davis, Detroit label owner and legend. Engineered by Ed Wolfdrum who recently passed away.

Not too much is known of The Michigans. Probably a one time demo on a view to getting a record deal.

"Look At My Back Wheels" is a raw edged funk track with incredible breaks and baselines. The vocal content is a little risque so use your imagination i guess.

"Its All Coming Back To Me Now" sounds like it could have been Ocean Colour Scene or a Paul Weller outtake. Very early 1970's Blues influenced Soul Music

Timo Lassy follows up his new album "Trio" on We Jazz Records by sharing two non-album cuts from the same sessions on a new 7" vinyl single / digi release. "Mountain Man Exit" is a stormy number featuring the trio of Lassy (tenor sax), Ville Herrala (bass) and Jaska Lukkarinen (drums) in full flight plus Tuomo Prättälä (of Ilmiliekki Quartet) on synth duties. Album track "Orlo" gets a new treatment, edited for the 7" and taking shape as a tough-as-nails mix breaking new ground here without the string section.

Welcome to the jazz funk world of the late great Mr Weldon Johnathan Irvine. This great man managed to write music that both inspired and in awed 50 years ago, as it still does today. He takes you to another world, with his gentle yet almost crazy energy. He was way ahead of his time producing these monumental, instrumental masterpieces. Mr Irvine was such a calm and kind gentleman, who just oozed music. He sadly passed away in 2002. It is a great honour to be able to release some of his music from his Nodlow music label on to 7” for the first time.

In 1974 Weldon released his “In Harmony” LP. The two tracks we chose are, “Fat Mouth” which, as expected, features the signature Weldon rift. This Clavinet-heavy groove is backed up with the mighty Joe Jones on Hammond organ; and is all held steady with the pumping drums from Napoleon Revels
“Turkish Bath” is a laid-back jazz groove, with Weldon laying down a superb lead Rhodes story and melody. Backed up with Joe Jones on the piano. Weldon’s keyboard echoes throughout his music with such simplicity.

"Just As I Am" – wer spät seine Karriere startet, kann sich bereits ein ausdrucksvolles Persönlichkeitsprofil erarbeitet haben, auch wenn es so wie bei Bill Withers zunächst nicht von Musik geprägt worden ist. Withers diente viele Jahre in der US-Marine, jobbte als Milchmann und installierte bei einem amerikanischen Flugzeugbauer Toiletten in Jets, während seine selbst gefertigten und fleißig verschickten Demo-Tonbänder bei den Plattenfirmen im Abfluss landeten. 1971 folgte der steile Aufstieg, als der erfolgreiche Producer Booker T. Jones ihn ins Schlepptau nahm und ihm Top-Musiker wie den Gitarristen Stephen Stills, den Drummer Al Jackson und Donald 'Duck' Dunn als Bassmann ins Studio stellte.

In seinem Debüt-Album zeigt Withers seine universellen und ausgereiften Fähigkeiten als Sänger, Komponist und Interpret, die er in späteren Aufnahmen kaum mehr übertraf. "Harlem", ein ungeschönter Milieu-Funk über die die New Yorker Slums, "Grandma’s Hands", der obligatorische Rückblick in die Kindheit und die gemütslastige Ballade "Ain’t No Sunshine" mit ihrem gebetsmühlenartigen im Off-Beat kreisenden »I know, I know …« sind freigelegte musikalische Jahresringe eines erfahrenen Mittdreißigers, der endlich zu Wort kommt. Zu dieser Schallplatte des großen Songwriters mit dem kleinen Repertoire gibt es keine Alternative.

Cloud’s sought after Brit-Funk classic ‘All Night Long’ remixed by Ge-Ology from the original studio tapes for a two-track 12” featuring main and extended dub versions. Originally released in 1980 as a white label single, Cloud’s debut has since become a sought-after UK classic that has been re-visited to create another dance floor gem.

Research Records indicate their inclination for cosmic instrumentation and kraut pervaded polyrhythms once again with an introduction to newcomer Glass Beams. Recorded at the beginning of 2020, Mirage is the first release from the artist, issuing four compositions that lend from a profusion of sounds and influences.

The album's opener and title Mirage arrives with a coiling vocal mantra that conspires with a sliding bassline and transcendent synthwork, reminiscent of early 70's prog jams yet inverted and futuristic. Taurus is a brisk arrangement, steeped with spaghetti-western elements and space-jazz to pave the way for the agile Kong. Rife with psych-fusion guitar phrases and instrumentation, Kong unfolds like a forecast lysergic voyage. The finale Rattlesnake nudges the serpent with intergalactic scales and spellbinding riffs. We may not know much about the enigmatic Glass Beams but Mirage is one epic inauguration, leaving the listener with more questions than answers.

Transparent yellow vinyl edition is limited to 500 copies worldwide.

Dark Green 12" Vinyl Limited to 1000 Vinyl Includes Exclusive bonus track 'Restless'

“The things you hear when you’re alone. Walking through Mount Royal or other wooded areas you might notice a branch break. As much as I value my alone time and the subtle things you can pick up around and within yourself in those moments, a certain loneliness and anxiety permeates the quiet at some point. The past couple years created ample opportunity for that anxiety and loneliness to stretch its legs and make itself comfortable. This record was born out of weeks of willing a form of peace and inspiration into my surroundings. A large part of that came from working with Leanne Macomber on some vocals. Through a desire to form new connections and throw more humanity into the work. We made a variety of song sketches that I mostly reworked into the final recordings here. We spoke a lot about where our heads were at, certain key phrases, triggers and emotions. Joel Ford, whom I worked on Dawn Chorus with, mixed the record and helped me wrangle a few cats to get this across the finish line. Restless at home in Canada, feeling the restlessness of all my friends and loved ones I kept in touch with as much as possible, trying to make something that made the quiet a bit more peaceful."

Record Kicks presents "Gurami" the first single from the forthcoming "Origin of Forms" album, the vibrant debut album by Moscow funk band The Diasonics with a mix of cinematic funk, instrumental hip-hop and soviet psychedelia.

Record Kicks is proud to present the mesmerizing psychedelic universe of The Diasonics. "Gurami" is the first single taken from "Origin of Forms" the startling debut full-length by the Muscovite band, coming out on January 28 2022 on ltd edition LP, CD and Digital. "Gurami" is an instrumental funk cut with heavy abstract hip hop influences and it will be available on limited edition 45 vinyl and digital.On the flipside the instrumental soul bonus track "Gradients". The 45 is limited to 500 copies wordwide.

Welcome to "hussar funk", that's how The Diasonics call their music: a style that blends infectious deep funk instrumentals, East European flavours, hip-hop rhythms and psychedelia. Firmly rooted in the late 60s and early 70s, their debut album "Origin of Forms" was recorded on an 8-channel Japanese tape recorder Otari MX-5050 MK III at The Diasonics HQ's Magnetone Studio in Moscow and was mixed by Henry Jenkins (The Cactus Channel / Karate Boogaloo) in Melbourne.

The Diasonics are one of the latest additions to the Russian instrumental funk scene. The band was only formed in 2019 and it's made of five young and seriously talented Muscovite musicians: Anton Moskvin (drums), Maxim Brusov (bass guitar), Anton Katyrin (percussions), Daniil Lutsenko (electric guitar) and Kamil Gzizov (keyboards). In just a couple of years the band has amassed a cult following, releasing a shower of ten celebrated singles and various in-demand 45 vinyl records on funk labels such as Funk Night Records and Mocambo Records.

Fans of Khruangbin, Dj Shadow and of instrumental soul, take note!

Limited edition to 500 copies 45 vinyl.

Record Kicks presents "Another Shot Fired" the new single from the Tibbs on limited edition 45 vinyl. "Another Shot Fired" is the title track of the second studio album from the Dutch soul combo produced by Paul Willemsen (Michelle David & The Gospel Sessions) and is a Jamaican Soul scorcher. By popular demand it has been pressed on a limited edition 45 vinyl with on the flip side the uptempo soul belter "The Main Course".

Based in Amsterdam, The Tibbs took off in 2012. Working right from the start with producer Paul Willemsen, the first EP "Cleaned Out" debuted in 2014. Later that year, the German funk label Tramp Records released their debut single – "Footprints In The Sand/Cleaned Out". Two years later, The Tibbs' first LP, "Takin' Over" marked their debut with Milan based imprint Record Kicks. The singles "Next Time" and "The Story Goes" received critical acclaim on radio stations throughout Europe and North America and the 45s flew out the door in record time. The second studio album "Another Shot Fired" came out on Record Kicks November 20th2020.

Das legendäre Label Def Jam veröffentlicht ein Compilation-Album seiner weiblichen Künstlerinnen auf Vinyl! Auf dem Album „The Women Of Def Jam“ sind unter anderem Teyana Taylor, Jhené Aiko, 070 Shake, Ashanti, Alessia Cara und auch Foxy Brown mit ihren größten Hits vertreten. Aber auch ein paar männliche Def Jam-Künstler haben es als Featuregäste auf das Album geschafft, darunter Jay-Z, Pusha T und Ludacris

First Word Records is very pleased to bring you more music from Werkha!

Following on from his EP 'The Rigour' from early 2020, the Mancunian musician dropped a little taste of his new material late last year in the form of single 'Battered Mars Bar' and limited cassette 'Beat Tapestry'. Now we have a double aa-side single featuring two cuts from his forthcoming album 'All Werk Is Play'.

'Eterno Retorno' features the glorious Portuguese vocals of Moreiya, gliding across Werkha's uniquely skippy bruk vibes, with squelchy bass stabs and delicate guitar strums in tow.

'In Saint-Gilles' keeps the tempo up, cleverly switching between a 4/4 and a half-time rhythm. This one bringing more European vibes with the talents of Brussels-based DJ/Producer Le Motel also behind the boards.

Both tracks have already been shown support from the likes of AtJazz & DJ Paulette.

Werkha hails from Manchester and has been releasing music for a decade, collaborating and remixing artists such as Quantic, Bryony Jarman-Pinto, Marcos Valles and Andrew Ashong, and touring with Bonobo, Chet Faker and Mr Scruff.

This single is released February 4th 2022 on vinyl & digital via First Word Records.

Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band Follow Up their 2021 “Expansions” album with another solid 7” offering. The A side, “Represent,” is one of the stand out tracks from Expansions. BRSB cover the DJ Premier produced Nas classic taking the original and expanding the arrangement with guitar and brass riffs. Tuba chugs along the drum break while the steel pans hammer out the infamously infectious melody of the original sample making this an easy winner in Hip Hop circles and beyond. The B side is a non-album cut available on this 45 for the ­rst time ever. Bacao covers the Mtume classic “Juicy Fruit” made popular again when The Notorious B.I.G. sampled it for his smash hit “Juicy.” This is a sure head turner when people realize they are dancing along to a new version of the classic melody

* In 1980 Gerald Moore - of G.T. Moore and the Reggae Guitars and Heron fame - was in Kingston, Jamaica working with Lee Perry on the `Return of Pipecock Jackxon' LP. Gerald went into Harry J's studio with James Lascelles (Global Village Trucking Company, The Breakfast Band) and Bud Beadle (Ginger Baker & Salt) alongside members of Zap Pow: Don Grant, Cornell Marshall and Dwight Pinkney.
* Of the four tracks recorded (two vocal and two instrumental) only `Utopia' was ever released (on the Black Star Liner label in 1980 and then reissued by Partial in 2014).
* The tapes sat around gathering dust for the best part of 40 years and are now finally unearthed. * Mixed directly from the masters by Dougie Wardrop are `Jerusalem', `Working For The Dollar' and `Constant Spring'. Also `Utopia' gets a fresh mix.
* A cuts followed by their respective dub mixes.
* Review confirmed in February's edition of The Wire magazine.

We are very excited to announce the release of "Orchestre Massako", the 14th compilation in our Analog Africa Limited Dance Edition serie. For this project we focussed on Afro Sounds from Gabon's mighty National Orchestra and its legendary band leader, Jean-Christian Mboumba Mackaya known as Mack-Joss, literraly the baobab of Gabonese music. Two songs also feature the singer Amara Toure, whose specific voice is impossible not to recognise and who has already been in the center of the previous compilation "Amara Toure 1973-1980" released back in 2015.

Situation & Andre Espeut join musical forces again to bring you the next Situationism release 'What is Going on' (SITU022). This project has been a long time in the making and boasts a complete fusion of funk, soul and house vibes with a gospel twist!

Situation bring us the original and a dub version to this release. 'What is Going on' of course comes with an array of quality remixes starting off with the Andromeda Orchestra aka Robin Lee of Faze Action, taking a full funk groove angle, complete with brass, fat bass guitar and a bongo break!

BRS then take it to a smooth house groove level with their interpretation. Rob Evans from the BRS collective puts an underground house twist on things. Bitter Suite continue with a quality heavy space funked fiesta of a version.

First to be released will be the limited vinyl 12' featuring the remixes by Andromeda Orchestra, BRS, Bittersuite and also the original mix.